History

31 October 1944 was the most dramatic day in the history of Aarhus University. Royal Air Force carried out an air raid on the halls of residence on campus. The raid was ordered by the Jutland resistance movement because the Gestapo had their headquarters and archives in the university buildings. Photo: Royal Air Force.

A young, growing university

The first step in the history of Aarhus University was taken in hired premises on 11 September 1928, when “University Studies in Jutland” was inaugurated with 64 students enrolled. The combined staff consisted of one professor and four senior associate professors. In 2017, the entire Aarhus University had approximately 39,000 students and 7,800 members of staff (full-time equivalent).